Life is a 'Cabaret': See it this weekend

When I volunteered to do an "interactive" preview of "Cabaret," one that would involve not merely watching a run-through, but actually rehearsing a dance with the cast, I was but an innocent "Cabaret" virgin. I had no idea what I was getting myself into until I mentioned my impending stage debut to a cast member and he eloquently informed me I would mainly be "macking it" with the rest of the cast.

I arrived at Theatre Intime not knowing exactly what to expect, but felt immediately at home with the welcoming cast. Choreographer Danielle Ivory '05 (who does double duty playing prostitute Fraulein Kost) walked me through the steps for "Wilkommen" (how appropriate). Then, the Kit Kat Girls gathered around, and I was invited to be the "featured dancer," as Ivory tactfully termed me.

The live pianist, Will Maguire '07, began playing, and I tried desperately to move half as deftly as the other dancers, who were vigorously gyrating all around me. They were extremely understanding of my inability to thrust my pelvis on the beat, however, and encouragingly grabbed my derriere and guided me through the "Fosse walk." By the time I exited the stage to their kind (or perhaps relieved) applause, I felt like part of the cabaret.

The cast's genuine friendliness and sense of camaraderie translates well to the stage and makes this production of "Cabaret" a particularly delightful viewing experience.

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins '06, who plays the Emcee, said "working with friends" means "there's nothing stressful."

Given that the cast has to spend many of the dance numbers rubbing up against and/or grabbing each other, it certainly helps that they feel comfortable together. They were clearly not just rehearsing, but also having a lot of fun onstage, putting all their energy into every high kick and even occasionally improvising, which made the seamless song and dance numbers shine even more brightly.

Ivory said she choreographed with the intention of "highlighting how raunchy and skeezy" the cabaret is.

Jess Bonney '05, who shares directing duties with Rachael Timinsky '04, said they wanted the Emcee and the Kit Kat Girls to be "alluring and inviting in a sexual, fun way."

"It's sexy, hot . . . and incredible," Timinsky added.

But "Cabaret" is not just about half-naked dancers in garter belts. The musical also narrates the love story of American writer Cliff (Jed Peterson '06) and English cabaret dancer Sally (Suzanna Sanchez '04) and is set in Berlin against the backdrop of the fall of the liberal Weimar Republic and the rise of Nazi Germany.

This serious dimension removes "Cabaret" from the stereotypical musical realm. Timinsky explained that while "there are fluffy musicals and deep plays . . . 'Cabaret' balances the two."

The musical deftly moves from comical songs about threesomes to more serious reflections on the life changes the characters experience with the rise of the Third Reich.

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"You see how everything accelerates," Ivory said.

There is also the sense that the extravagance of cabaret life contributes to the inevitable fall of liberal Berlin.

"The danger [of the cabaret] comes out subtly," Bonney said.

Its danger, music and tragedy make "Cabaret" a joy from start to finish. I was genuinely impressed by the acting, singing and dancing talent our campus boasts and was honored to have the opportunity to "perform" with them. You won't be able to personally show off your dance skills as I did, but it is, perhaps, even more fun to simply appreciate the show as an audience member. And you can, at least, be thankful that it is not I, but rather the talented cast members who are up there dancing.